MTNL steps up value-addition in broadband

TNNAug 31, 2006, 01.10am IST

MUMBAI: MTNL has charted an ambitious target of 14 lakh broadband customers, up from the current 3 lakh, in the next one year. The PSU telco is banking on value added services (VAS) to expand the user base for the broadband service, offered under the Triband brand.

MTNL is also set to launch IPTV, to offer video-on-demand and over 100 channels by October this year. The tariff for IPTV services will be at par with rentals being charged by cable operators. "We are conducting market trials and are almost ready for the launch. We will offer 50 channels to begin with and scale it up to 100 later," MTNL's general manager-broadband, Peeyush Agrawal, said in Mumbai on Wednesday.

The basic package for IPTV will also offer 100 chat sessions, he added. The company has tied up with IOL Broadband, optic fibre company Aksh and the Mumbai-based Time Broadband.

These companies will offer a content delivery platform to MTNL. Mumbai accounts for 1.6 lakh of MTNL's 3 lakh broadband customers. "We are looking at 7 lakh more customers in Mumbai within one year. We hope to see a similar addition in Delhi," Mr Agrawal said.

MTNL also announced a tie-up with gaming company IndiaGames to launch Games on Demand (GoD). "We are focused on adding value on broadband," said MS Rana, executive director, MTNL.